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SouthRiver Receives Funding to Support Integration of Physical and Mental Health Services

On August 8, 2019, the U.S. Health & Human Services, Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) announced the allocation of nearly $400 million to combat the nations opioid epidemic. Over $200 million will go directly to 1,208 health centers across the nation to increase access to high quality, integrated behavioral health services, including treatment for opioid use disorder.

Oregon’s total Integrated Behavioral Health award of $4,509,000 will support 27 health centers, including SouthRiver Community Health Center. Each health center will receive $167,000 to expand access to integrated substance use disorder and mental health services.

According to HRSA, the number of patients receiving medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction at community health centers throughout the U.S. increased 142 percent from 2016 to 2018. At SouthRiver, medication-assisted treatment, combined with individual and group counseling, is reducing barriers to care for patients who struggle with opioid use disorder. In 2018, 335 SouthRiver patients received medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder, an 84% increase over 2017.

“SouthRiver has successfully carried out a number of initiatives to expand access to treatment for patients who struggle with substance use and mental health disorders, said Dr. Gregory Brigham, CEO of Adapt. Funding will allow SouthRiver to invest in additional behavioral health staffing to work in coordination with medical providers and Compass Behavioral Health clinicians to provide care for patients with complex health concerns, including substance use disorders, chronic pain, depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.

To learn more about SouthRiver, visit www.southriverhealth.org.

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About SouthRiver: SouthRiver offers fully-integrated primary care and behavioral health services for children, adolescents and adults, regardless of income or ability to pay. Physical and behavioral health services are provided at three clinic locations in Winston and Roseburg. Visit www.southriverhealth.org.

About Award: The award supports the U.S. Health & Human Services Five-Point Opioid Strategy to empower local communities on the frontlines of the national epidemic, beginning with better addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery services. To learn more about the award, visit https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2019/08/08/hhs-awards-nearly-400-million-to-combat-opioid-crisis.html